VIRGINIA THIS MORNING: Popeye’s Brunch Bake

RICHMOND, Va (WTVR) – This dish is packed with flavor and protein. Mary Rappoport from the Virginia Egg Council whipped up her ‘Popeye’s Brunch Bake’ dish made with eggs, spinach and cheese. It’s an easy to make recipe that’s perfect for Breakfast, Lunch or even Dinner.www.virginiaeggcouncil.org

Popeye’s Brunch Bake

2 T. Olive oil

1 large onion, diced (about 1 cup

1 tsp. salt

½ tsp. ground black pepper

5 cloves garlic, minced

¼ cup pine nuts

24 oz. pkg. frozen baby spinach, thawed

½ cup roughly chopped fresh basil leaves

2 red bell peppers, one diced and one cut into ¼-inch rings

2 oz. Serrano ham, prosciutto or pepperoni, cut into thin strips

8 eggs

1/3 cup crumbled Goat, Feta or grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 400°.

In a large, heavy skillet, heat oil, add onion, salt and pepper and cook over medium heat for 10 to 12 minutes or until onion is soft and golden. Add garlic; cook for 5 minutes, stirring often.

Meanwhile, toast pine nuts in a dry pan over low heat until slightly golden and aromatic, 4 0 6 minutes. Add to skillet, along with spinach. Heat for 5 minutes or until spinach is cooked and hot. Add basil, diced bell pepper and ham; bring to point of steaming

Remove skillet from heat. Spread spinach mixture evenly in a 10” round, or other shape ceramic or earthenware casserole dish or skillet. With the back of a ladle, make 8 indentations in spinach mixture. Break eggs carefully, one at a time, into a bowl and slide each into an indentation.

Frame eggs with bell pepper rings and sprinkle all with cheese. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until eggs are cooked so the whites are opaque and the yolks congealed.